Citadelle Réserve Gin

About Citadelle Réserve Gin

"Barrel aging tends to tame the flower and citrus feel of gin and enhances its rounder and softer notes," explains Alexandre Gabriel, the master distiller at Citadelle Gin. Nearly a century ago, nearly all gin was barrel-aged since the spirit was stored and transported in oak barrels (at the time, glass was too fragile while plastic and stainless steel vessels were still not available). In order to craft a more traditional gin reminiscent of the gins crafted hundreds of years ago, Gabriel began experimenting with aging gin in 2008.

Citadelle Réserve Gin is the world's first solera aged gin. Solera aging is a process that has generally been reserved for aging cognacs, ports and sherries. It involves filling a series of casks at different intervals over a long period of time. As gin from the oldest cask is emptied and bottled, the cask is re-filled with an equivalent amount of gin from the second-oldest cask in the solera. This cascading effect continues until the youngest cask in the solera is filled with new gin. As a result, no cask in the solera is ever fully emptied. In addition, as the younger gin ages and cascades through the solera, its complexity and maturity gradually increases over time.

Citadelle Réserve Gin is matured in three different types of casks: American oak casks, which contribute hints of vanilla and caramel; ex-Pineau de Charente casks, which provide for a full body and lush, flowery roundness; and ex-cognac casks, which contribute hints of fresh grapes, citrus and and an elegant finish. Once the gin has cascaded through the solera and matured for in each type of cask (the average time spent in a particular cask varies from two to five months), it is bottled at 88 proof.

The gin has an aroma of pine, juniper, citrus (particularly orange zest), honey and oak that gives way to hints of vanilla, caramel, green grapes, and stone fruits on the palate. The finish is subtle and elegant, with complex notes of coriander, ginger and cardamom balanced against a touch of oak.

Citadelle Réserve Gin earned the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and a score of 90-95 points from Wine Enthusiast.

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